Garden enthusiasts and cost-conscious food growers will be happy to note the second annual Seedy Sunday event taking place at the CEED Centre Neighbourhood House on February 19. This month is popular for seed exchanges around the Lower Mainland.

Last year saw a few dozen seed savers throng into the CEED Centre Society’s heritage building and trade or give away their collections of seeds.

“We will have snacks and coffee to welcome the participants,” remarked CEED Centre Society president Richard Farrance. “Last year we gave a short presentation on seed types, so this year we are focusing on how to start seeds.”

Christian Cowley had this to say about how a seed exchange event works. “Some food growers are keen to keep local seed varieties viable because they are really well acclimatized to our locality. To keep them viable, it helps to have many people growing and saving the local food varieties rather than buying the latest and greatest hybrid seeds from the commercial seed companies based in other communities. So the participants in the event are happy to share the seeds they saved that they won’t be planting this season. ”

If you are interested in attending the event, you are not required to bring your own seeds to share, but it is certainly encouraged if you have them. Some seed providers may only be interested in exchanges, but plenty of others will be happy to pass on the bounty of their gardens.

There are likely to be a diverse selection of seeds from beans to beets and squash to spinach.

The free event takes place on Sunday, February 19, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the CEED Centre Neighbourhood House at 11739 223 Street in Maple Ridge.

​For more information on the CEED Centre Society, visit us online at http://www.ceedcentre.com or call Christian at 604-463-2229.

Wonderful example of how sharing and caring is alive and well in our community. Now all we need is a coop farm where we can all enjoy growing and sharing local produce together. Food for thought - see you all there for "farm school ".